Share Bob Daemmrich: Straus/Campaign website: AllisonOutgoing Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus (left) and Steve Allison, who’s in the Republican runoff to replace Straus in Texas House District 121.Retiring House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, is getting behind a candidate to replace him in House District 121.Straus on Thursday endorsed San Antonio business attorney Steve Allison in the May 22 Republican runoff for the seat, which Straus has held since 2005. He announced last year he would not seek re-election after a record-tying five terms behind the gavel. “I am grateful for the voters who have supported me through the years, and now we need you to vote for Steve Allison,” Straus said in a statement. “Steve is the one candidate in this race who has proved himself ready to serve in the Texas House. Steve is a man of strong character and sound judgment, and I have no doubt that he will be an effective voice for our community.”Straus’ choice in the race is not entirely surprising. Allison’s opponent, Matt Beebe, unsuccessfully challenged Straus twice before, in 2012 and 2014. Beebe finished first in the six-way primary for the seat last month, getting 29 percent of the vote to Allison’s 26 percent.Allison most recently served as vice chairman of the board of VIA Metropolitan Transit, San Antonio’s mass transit agency. He previously was a member of the Alamo Heights School Board for a dozen years, including three terms as president. read more

Get out your dancing shoes and wear your masks. It’s time to raise money for scholarships for students attending our great Mississippi HBCUs. On April 8, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at Martin’s Crosswinds, 7400 Greenway Center Drive Greenbelt, Md. 20770, a fundraiser will be held to provide scholarships to students from four Mississippi HBCUs: Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, Alcorn State University and Mississippi Valley State University. For more information go to gwdcjsualum.wixsite.com/tjam2017.read more

The audiences witnessed the celebrated notes of the artiste playing some classic numbers. The concert embarked the legacy of the recently launched piano club while honouring the 2011 launch of this vintage European dining at 1911 Brasserie.From scintillating pianism of Liszt to the vibrant rhythms of Bartók, the heroism of Chopin and the dazzling finger work of Ravel, it was an evening of unabashed virtuosity. Lutchmayer performed some of the most daring and demanding music written on the Steinway grand piano at The Imperial. Also Read – ‘Playing Jojo was emotionally exhausting’Vijay Wanchoo, Sr. Executive Vice President and GM expressed, ‘It gives us great pleasure to commemorate the 3rd anniversary of our restaurant with an alluring musical sojourn, orchestrated by none other than Karl Lutchmayer. Classic western food with astounding live music makes Nostalgia a unique and retro European restaurant and our focus has always been to enhance its stellar dining experience.’He further said ‘Stepping towards luxurious and unique live concerts on Steinway piano, our effort has always been to bring to enchanting, influential and smashing recitals. We plan to organise many such great events in future as part of our recently launched piano club, sweeping the music aficionados with the ultimate and the unmatched.’ The evening concluded with a lavish spread of traditional European recipes from Nostalgia.read more

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation kicks off its sterilisation and vaccination drive across all state government hospitals inthe city. The drive began on Thursday with the civic body picking up 20 dogs from RG Kar Medical College Hospital and another 15 from Calcutta Medical College and Hospital for sterilisation. “The animals will be sterilised in our dog pounds and will be put back at the same place after seven to 10 days. We have also vaccinated a number of stray dogs found inside Medical College and RG Kar,” said Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh, who also holds the charge of KMC’s Health department. The civic body is expected to conduct a vaccination camp at NRS on Friday afternoon. Also Read – Speeding Jaguar crashes into Mercedes car in Kolkata, 2 pedestrians killedIn the wake NRS puppy incident, KMC officials had sent letters to all state government hospitals in the city intending to sterilize and vaccinate campus dogs to keep their birth in check and prevent rabies. The hospitals across the state attract dogs from the nearby areas because of the uneaten food being dumped in vats kept inside hospitals premises. Mayor Firhad Hakim recently held a meeting with the Director General (Civil) and the Director General (Health) and gave them necessary instructions to fast track the process of giving a facelift to its two existing dog pounds at Dhapa and Entally so that around 1,000 animals can be sterilised on a daily basis. He assured that there won’t be any constraint of funds and said the state government has already allocated Rs 3 crore for the same.read more

Tags: Argentina << Previous PostNext Post >> Thursday, March 16, 2017 BUENOS AIRES — Argentina is getting its own budget airline, with seats priced cheaper than those on local buses.According to Lonely Planet, FlyBondi, the country’s first budget airline, is expected to launch domestic flights starting in September. Currently, state-run Aerolineas Argentina dominates the country’s aviation market, and up until now, high operating costs and state-mandated minimum prices have made domestic air travel an impossible venture.The Argentine government says plans for the new airline have been made to boost its slumping economy. Last year, President Mauricio Macri said Argentina would open up 135 new airline routes and that foreign tourists would be refunded a 21% value-added tax on hotel costs.However, there’s still one major hurdle to overcome before celebrations begin: Argentina requires its pilots to be Argentines, which could lead to difficulties in staffing.But if successfully launched, FlyBondi will undoubtedly make it easier to travel around the country. It will offer seats onboard leased Boeing 737s that cost less than lie-flat bed prices on bus journeys that span the same distance. For example, a one-way bus ticket with a lie-flat bed between Buenos Aires and Mendoza – a journey that takes 16 hours – costs about US$100. Alternatively, a seat onboard FlyBondi will start at approximately $78 each way for the two-hour flight. Flying on Argentina’s first budget airline will be cheaper than taking the bus Share Posted by Travelweek Group read more

Tags: Oceania Cruises Share MIAMI — Oceania Cruises is offering a flight upgrade special as part of its signature ‘OLife Choice’ package.Starting at US$149 extra, the upgrade offer allows guests to secure premium economy seats for over 100 prime European sailings in 2018.When booking a cruise, guests can choose to strictly pay the price for the sailing or purchase the ‘OLife Choice’ package, which includes free unlimited Internet, airfare (where applicable), bonus savings and the choice of one of the following: free shore excursions, free house beverage package, or shipboard credit.The flight upgrade promotion is offered to guests in all stateroom categories, from economical inside staterooms to the lavish Owner’s Suites, and carriers include (but are not limited to) British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, Scandinavian Airlines, Air Canada, and Icelandair. Pending the airline, travelers can take advantage of priority boarding, extra luggage allowance, spacious seats with abundant legroom, full meal and bar service, and personal entertainment systems.More news: Help Princess Cruises break the world record for largest vow renewal at seaTo reserve the special, bookings must be made by June 30, and capacity is limited. Additionally, the carrier and routing are at the discretion of Oceania Cruises. Oceania announces flight upgrade special until June 30 Posted by Travelweek Group Thursday, June 1, 2017 << Previous PostNext Post >>read more

By: The Canadian Press Share << Previous PostNext Post >> Tags: Danforth, Toronto TORONTO — Several blocks in the heart of Toronto’s popular Greektown district were surrounded by yellow police tape Monday morning, and nearly all local businesses were closed, after a fatal shooting on Sunday night.Two people were killed and 12 others were injured when a man armed with a handgun fired into restaurants and patios lining Danforth Avenue.Police said the 29-year-old suspected gunman exchanged fire with officers and was later found dead in the area. There was no immediate word on a motive. The incident began around 10 p.m.No information had yet been released about the two shooting victims. Police Chief Mark Saunders previously said a woman was killed and a girl, aged eight or nine, was in critical condition.Neighbourhood residents visiting the scene of the shooting said they’re struggling to process the deadly incident.“There’s a lot of good people here,” said Gord Cheong who lives blocks away. “There’s a lot of people who come to the Danforth, to Greektown, but it’s generally quite quiet. So this is unusual, and disturbing.”More news: Carnival Cruise Line enhances HUB app for families and youthPrime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a statement of support via Twitter.“My thoughts are with everyone affected by the terrible tragedy on the Danforth last night in Toronto, and may the injured make a full recovery,” he wrote Monday morning. “The people of Toronto are strong, resilient and brave – and we’ll be there to support you through this difficult time.”Toronto Mayor John Tory called the shooting “a despicable act” and expressed outrage that someone had “unleashed such a terrible attack on our city and people innocently enjoying a Sunday evening.”The mayor said the latest shooting happened as the city was still healing from a van attack that left 10 people dead just a few months ago. In April, a white van mounted a sidewalk on a busy Toronto running down pedestrians.“We were so used to living in a city where these things didn’t happen and as we saw them going on in the world around us (we) thought they couldn’t happen here,” Tory told reporters Sunday night, urging people to stay calm while police carry on their investigation. Police probe Toronto shooting in Greektown on the Danforth Monday, July 23, 2018 read more

Posted by Share Tags: Montego Bay, Punta Cana, Sunwing TORONTO — Sunwing is launching service from Detroit, Michigan for the first time ever, offering residents of Southwestern Ontario more vacation options this winter.Starting Jan. 20, 2019 and running until April 22, 2019 inclusive from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, the new flights will operate on Sundays to Punta Cana, and twice-weekly on Mondays and Fridays to Montego Bay. Travellers can book select vacation packages to both Sun destinations.“We are excited to be offering Canadians more convenient ways to travel south this winter with the addition of the new departure airport in Detroit, Michigan. This route is a great addition to the current weekly flight service out of London and Windsor and offers travellers in Southwestern Ontario a wider selection of vacation options,” said Andrew Dawson, President of Tour Operations for Sunwing Travel Group.Vacation packages to Punta Cana include a wide range of resorts, including the family-friendly Royalton Bavaro Resort and Spa on Bavaro Beach. Here, guests of all ages can enjoy an on-site splash pad, lazy river and a FlowRider surf simulator.More news: Le Boat has EBBs along with its new 2020 brochureIn Jamaica, clients can choose from a number of beachfront resorts on Jamaica’s famous white-sand beaches, including the recently renovated Sensatori Azul Beach Resort on Seven Mile Beach in Negril featuring modern rooms and a range of dining options. There’s also Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort and Spa in Runaway Bay, home to a spa, fitness facilities and yoga classes.All Sunwing packages from Detroit include return airfare on Sunwing Airlines, airport transfers and the services of a Sunwing representative. Onboard, clients can enjoy complimentary non-alcoholic drinks service, a complimentary snack and a selection of buy onboard meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages (all prices in USD). Groups of 10 or more adults can receive special prices, added values and reduced deposits. Sunwing to launch service from Detroit to Punta Cana & MoBay << Previous PostNext Post >> Travelweek Group Tuesday, November 27, 2018 read more